UPDATE – 2013-14 Graduate Studies Funded Research Assistantships

The original November 25, 2013 and June 9, 2014 submittal dates have changed. The new date to submit applications is Monday, January 13 for research projects running from February 1 through May 30, 2014.

Graduate Studies launched a process for graduate Research Assistantships. The program supports RISD faculty research projects and helps create opportunities for graduate students to work with faculty on the creation, organization, and distribution of new knowledge.

Full-time RISD faculty and part-time RISD faculty with multi-year contracts can apply for research project support in the form of Graduate Studies Funded Research Assistantships. Assistantships can begin as early as October 1, 2013 and can be of any duration so long as the Research Assistant’s work is completed by June 30, 2014.

The RISD Research Advisory Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies + Research. The Committee is appointed by the Dean and consists of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and two or more faculty-representatives.

1. Research Assistants are graduate students engaged in faculty-guided or -directed research.

2. Research Assistantships include compensation for the graduate student, but also are meaningful educational experiences and an opportunity to contribute to the creation of new knowledge.

3. Research Assistantships are not work-for-hire.

If the request is approved, a Research Assistantship contract is generated based on the information provided and signed by both the graduate student and the supervising faculty member. Note that a Research Assistantship is subject to income tax withholding. Payment is made by check through monthly payroll, or can be directly applied to the graduate student’s tuition account upon request.

Other project expenses cannot be funded through this process. When a request is funded, a brief report (one page or less) is due one month after the end date of the Research Assistantship.